2011 Fantasy Football Week 2: Waiver Wire Pickups

Week one of the NFL went off with a blasts, with headlines dominated by offensive explosions and injuries (Marques Colston). Here are a few week two pickups on the waiver wire that can help lend your roster some explosion, or replace that injured starter.

Nick Novak Kicker (all leagues): Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding is lost for the season, and they have wasted no time replacing him. Enter Nick Novak, who will now be replacing Kaeding and kicking on one of the best offenses in football. The Chargers offense was second in the NFL last year with 441 points and should finish somewhere in the top five this year, and many points means many attempts for Novak. If your roster is currently fielding a mediocre kicker, grab Novak immediatley and reap the fantasy rewards.

Alex Smith Quarterback (12 Team of Deeper Leagues): The 49ers are hosting Dallas this week, making Alex Smith (owned in 11% of yahoo leagues) a great flex play. The Cowboys had a bad secondary coming into the season, but the additional losses of cornerbacks Newman and Scandrick make it downright ugly. For Smith, this means he will be throwing against the Dallas fourth and fifth string cornerbacks. Last Sunday Mark Sanchez torched the Dallas secondary to the tune of 335 yards and two touchdowns, and Smith should put up similar numbers. Look for the 49ers to air it out often giving Smith plenty of opportunity, making a stat line of 200+ yards and 2-3 touchdowns a very real possibility.

Scott Chandler Tight End (12 Team or Deeper Leagues): Ryan Fitzpatrick put up amazing totals last Sunday against the Chiefs, with a passer rating of 133, passing for 208 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Two touchdowns(5 receptions for 63 yards) thrown last sunday were to Scott Chandler (owned in 18% of yahoo leagues), who seems to have a good rapport with Fitzpatrick. The Bills face the Oakland Raiders who have a fearsome defensive line that posted 5 sacks last week and was second in the NFL with 47 sacks in 2010. The Raiders front four should pressure Fitzpatrick early and often forcing an abundance of short passes. This should provide plenty of opportunity for Chandler to post a big game, and with his 6’7″ frame, he will be a force in the redzone. Look for Chandler to add a fantasy touchdown for your team this week.

Anthony Armstrong Wide Receiver (10-12 Team Leagues): This week, the Redskins hosts the Arizona Cardinals and a secondary that gave up 422 yards and 2 touchdowns to rookie quarterback Cam Newton. The Cardinals defense blitzes often and gambles on making big plays, which often results in big plays for the opposing teams offense (i.e. Steve Smith, 178 yards, 2 TD’s). Rex Grossman should take full advange of this by utilizing Anthony Armstrong’s speed and looking to throw the ball deep. Grossman, who had a great game last week ( 305 yards, 2 touchdowns), found Armstrong (owned in 5% of leagues) for a touchdown and is a good bet to repeat this week.

Jacoby Jones Wide Receiver (12 Team or Deeper Leagues): With Kevin Walter injured, Jones (owned in 29% of yahoo leagues) should start opposite of fellow wide receiver Andre Johnson. The Texans will be facing a Dolphins secondary this week that allowed Brady to throw for over 500 yards and 4 touchdowns, meaning plenty of opportunity for the wide receving corps of the Texans. The Dolphins rush defense is fairly formidable holding opponents to 100 rushing yards per game last year and held the Patriots 106 rushing yards, so the Texans pass game should not be detered by their run game. Look for Jones, a big play receiver, to catch a long pass for a touchdown.


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